Public Knowledge: DNS anti-piracy blocks are ineffective, dangerous

Public Knowledge is opposed to using DNS blocking techniques to limit access to websites accused of peddling pirated content. Far from just being demonstrably ineffective in the first place, Public Knowledge believes that the practice would threaten the functioning, freedom, and economic potential of the Internet.

The provisions for website blocking in SOPA and PIPA short-circuit the legal system by giving rightsholders a fast-track to shutting down websites they accuse of infringing activities. This must be viewed as a precedent that could be applied to any kind of website that is opposed by a special interest in the future.

By using DNS blocking in particular, you create conflicts between DNS servers on the Internet, make the system less secure and create potential for identity theft.

Possibly the most important point for Americans however is the sanctioning government interference with the Internet, while at the same time the U.S. State Department blasts cencorship and firewalls used in China, or in more recent and volatile examples, such as Syria.

Public Knowledge asks simply why, if DNS blocking can be demonstrated to be ineffective and easy to circumvent, it is still worth the risk of damaging free speech and the functionality of the Internet to endorse its use in this way?

Sherwin Siy, Deputy Legal Director at Public Knowledge, discussed the issues in the following video, and shows how easy it is to reach a website that has been DNS blocked, or had its domain seized.

Originally posted by Mysttic: When America passes Protect IP congrats on your next step towards Communism.

Take away one freedom for the the security of all & you start to lose your entire freedom (or some such quote of that nature).

Once again They're trying to control people. Put that thumb down on them & watch them squirm. Watch them pop & burst under the weight & might of their mighty hand... It's all a ruse & those in the governing bodies will never realize it till their asses are handed to them. When will they realize to have control of the situation you have to give people the chance at free will. When the situation is pleasurable, they WONT go against the grain & then it WONT be illegal, then there isn't a call for law enforcement or any of that BS.

But no, they have to have these tiny peckered individuals with fat wallets thinking 85% of the public still needs to be herded around (granted, there are about 5-8% that really do need herding/caging, but you get the point).

The remaining 7%...? They're too elderly, stoned, handicapped or already checking out, so we're going to let them go about their business.

The corrupt governments continue to do this kind of crap oblivious to world unrest towards 'them'. 2 countries have toppled and we will have a few more next year. They must feel invincible or are so preoccupied lining their pockets with gold to see the danger.

Originally posted by Mez: The corrupt governments continue to do this kind of crap oblivious to world unrest towards 'them'. 2 countries have toppled and we will have a few more next year. They must feel invincible or are so preoccupied lining their pockets with gold to see the danger.

Or they think they are going to take their ill gotten gains with them into their space ships and fly off into "Never Land" where we won't get them, destroy ourselves & they'll live happily ever after... or fill in some other silly sci-fi, fantasy story they're telling themselves... simply put, it has to be some form of brain damage on their part to just think 'everything is going to be alright' one morning. I'm pretty tired of that happy pill & cool-aid being passed around.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 07 Nov 2011 @ 17:00